Today in 1954: Elvis hits the big time

Today in 1954, Elvis Presley recorded That’s All Right (Mama), a song that would quickly gain the 19-year-old truck driver plenty of airtime and attention around Memphis and the surrounding region.

No more trucking for Elvis

During a break in recording uninspiring versions of Harbor Lights and I Love You Because at Sun Records, Elvis picked up a guitar and began playing Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup’s That’s All Right at double speed.

Producer Sam Phillips immediately knew he had struck gold.

The song hit the local airwaves two days later and was released as a single within two weeks.

The Elvis story had begun. A story that endures. To such an extent that 700,000 visitors pay a visit to Graceland each year, and his personal bible sold for £59,000 ($94,388) in 2012.